Freefall

I can't say I loved this book. It was well-written (what else would you expect from Heitzmann?) and the characters were fully developed and believable. The story itself was intriguing and fresh. What caught me by surprise was that the story started out as a thriller, then with about 150 pages to go slipped into a romance, then morphed into a thriller again at the climax. I must say this, though, kudos to Heitzmann and Bethany House for pushing the envelope with the romantic elements as far as CBA fiction goes (it got quite racey at times). Overall, Freefall was a solid book, a little long (over 460 pages), but written well enough to sustain the story.

With December just around the corner, I imagined I had read all of the best books of 2006. By the end of the first chapter of Freefall I knew I was mistaken! Set on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Freefall commences with a woman tumbling down a waterfall and the testing of Monica Pierce's fragile emotions. Monica's instinctive compassion welcomes the beautiful but injured stranger into her home, her memory lost due to the traumatic fall. Monica names her Jade. As a result of a tragic childhood, Monica has always relied heavily on her protective older brother, Cameron, an insurance fraud investigator living on the mainland. Monica calls him to utilise his investigative skills to determine Jade's identity. Upon his arrival, Jade's reluctance to contact the police places Cameron's suspicions into overdrive and another man's life in the balance. When Jade's identity is confirmed as the latest Hollywood "it" actress, Gentry Fox, the ugly side of such fame threatens to overwhelm her as she struggles to remember her past. Cameron's immediate derision of her occupation and the lifestyle he imagines Gentry has sought, is tempered as Gentry's strength of character emerges as they search for answers to the tragedy that befell her. In turn, Gentry glimpses Cameron's cynical and hardened exterior for what it is, a damaged heart and soul, following the early loss of his parents and his wife's more recent betrayal. Cameron resists his attraction to Gentry as danger continues to haunt her. The suspense ramps up and the relationships of all characters are tested as unscrupulous people seek to destroy Gentry's image and possibly, her life. Kristin Heitzmann has written a powerful novel of suspense alongside a beautiful character study of the fragile yet indestructible nature of human emotions. Her characters have depth and authenticity, from Gentry and Cameron through to blind Okelani, Monica and police officer, TJ Kanakanui. The book delves into issues of integrity, the allure of wealth, the burden of guilt and the miraculous and forgiving nature of God. Secrets and Unforgotten are must read books but Kirstin Heitzmann has trumped even those with Freefall.

I have to say that this is one of the most engaging, gripping story I have ever read. I am a big of Kristen Heitzmann's and I have to say that this story is one of my favourite stories ever by her. She describes the setting on the Kauai Island in Hawaiian Islands so vividly that I imagined myself actually being on the beautiful island. Gentry Fox and Cameron Pierce are wonderful, unique and yet "real-life" characters. I enjoyed every bit of the suspense, the mystery as Gentry (Jade) tries to remember what caused her accident and to piece back the details of her life back together. I couldn't put the story down til I have read to the last page!

Wow! Freefall left me speechless by the time I finished the story. At first I thought, "I love Kristen Heitzmann. I've read all of her historicals and they were awesome. This'll probably be good, but not as good as her past novels." WRONG! The suspense was incredible. The plot intricate. The setting exotic (nothing like spending time on the beach on not getting a sunburn. I think I even learned how to surf without hitting a single wave.) The romance also sizzled. Of course, those who know me know I love the edgier stuff (in other words, the passion and realism of romantic tension) and this baby is packed with it! The perpetrators and thugs were believeable and unlikeble--as they should be. I felt the heroine's fear, her confusion, her passion. Boy, that was a wild ride! I liked how the author occasionally inserted another person's POV to give you that person's perspective. Sweet. Overall, I'd have to say that this is the best romantic suspense novel I've EVER read. I mean EVER! I give Freefall ten stars!

Imagine a fear, a notion, so intense that you know you need to run. Imagine dragging yourself instinctively through dangerous mountains and treacherous waters to safety, not sure of where you are. Now imagine that not only do you not know where you are, but who you are. In Kristen Heitzmann's Freefall, Jade, later identified as the newly risen star, Gentry Fox, encounters these exact thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Freefall will capture readers with its intensity, honesty, and believability. Heitzmann emphasizes the importance of these attributes throughout her novel. Her use of Gentry's traumatic memory loss as a tool to lead us through every page, to give us important glimpses into the story, is phenomenal. A simple anecdote or experience tells us everything necessary about Gentry and her relationships with those around her. The relation of one character to another deeply impacts the plotline as a whole. (It is evident that Heitzmann understood the importance of character bonding when she wrote Freefall.) Cameron, "Kai," and Gentry develop such a natural and connected relationship, overcoming their past and present, that we could easily meet them at the restaurant down the road or the church on the corner. The detail so meticulously put into every character and every scene allows us to identify with, and truly understand, the characters Heitzmann has brought to life. When Gentry Fox awakens in the mountains of Kauai, she has no idea who she is. She experiences severe pain, and she knows nothing beyond her need for safety. In order to find that safety, she walks with determination to the nearest home, which belongs to a Hawaiian local named Monica. When Monica sees this downtrodden young woman approaching her yard, she fears that once again someone has come to her to find peace but then will pass on to a better life. Despite this fear, she lets Gentry in, and she calls her brother, a fraud investigator, to help identify her. With the presence of Cameron comes some of Gentry's memory; at first, just enough for her to remember that she was not traveling alone. In time, more and more of her memories open up. As they reveal themselves and events unfold, Gentry realizes that someone was out to kill her uncle, whether or not she was in the line of fire. The reality of the characters throughout Freefall adds an element of closeness, a bond with the readers. The bond allows readers to view Cameron, Gentry, Monica, and all of the other characters as personal friends--not as fictional people only existing on paper. Heitzmann uses flaws and setbacks that we are all familiar with in our own lives to help us relate to the characters' lives. They have broken hearts, broken families, and even broken bodies. The characters experience and overcome real issues, through which they encourage others to do the same. Kristen Heitzmann will engage your heart, mind, and spirit with this well-written novel. A blend of drama, mystery, romance, and humor, Freefa